[Satellite Today – 3-14-08] Sea Launch‘s Odyssey launch platform has arrived at the launch site on the equator and will initiate a 72-hour countdown in preparation for the launch of DirecTV 11, the company announced March 14. Liftoff is scheduled for 6:49 pm EDT.
    DirecTV 11, the second of three satellites Boeing is building for DirecTV Inc., is a 702-model satellite with technology that will enable DirecTV to continue to expand its high-definition programming lineup.
DirecTV 11, combined with the DirecTV 10 satellite launched in July, will provide DirecTV with the capacity to offer 150 national HD channels and 1,500 local HD channels.